Codemasters to drop Online Pass

Codemasters has confirmed plans to drop its VIP Pass system with the launch of F1 2013.

The news means that future Codemasters releases will not require the use of a VIP Pass to access the game's multiplayer. The system was thought to have been introduced to recover lost revenues from second-hand sales.

In a statement provided to VideoGamer.com this afternoon, a Codemasters representative confirmed that "as part of our review of systems we will not be implementing a VIP Pass system in F1 2013 when it releases this October.

"Players of both F1 2013 and F1 2013: Classic Edition will not be required to activate multiplayer functionality via the VIP Pass code and there are no plans to replace the pass with an alternative or paid-for activation system in the game."

The publisher is also said to be reviewing its policy for back-catalogue titles, but could not confirm whether or not it would be removing the VIP Pass requirement from older releases.

Ubisoft also told VideoGamer.com that although it didn't have any news to share "right now" on the future of its own Uplay Passport, "rest assured we'll continue to focus on providing the best experience for our customers no matter how or where they buy our games".